Since
the gubernatorial election earlier scheduled for Saturday December 5,
2015, in Bayelsa was declared inconclusive, Southern Ijaw Local
Government Council has been like a bride waiting to be walked down the
aisle for political gladiators.
Issues
related to Southern Ijaw have been grabbing news headlines while the
most popular political warriors; Seriake Dickson of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) and Timipre Slyva of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) have been jostling for control.
READ ALSO: Biafran struggle: Ohanaeze rejects Kanu’s approach
Naij.com focuses on three reasons Southern Ijaw is of keen interest to PDP and APC.
1. Southern Ijaw Is The Largest LGA In Bayelsa
Southern Ijaw LGA. According to Wikepedia, Southern Ijaw is the largest local government in Nigeria (landscape). It has an area of 2,682 km² and a population of 319,413 (2006 census).
2. Large Number Of Voters
Before Yenogoa became the state capital, Southern Ijaw used to be the local government with the highest number of voters. Its voting strength is fortified by the population and the high numbers of the voting class.
If all go well as planned by INEC, about 120, 827 registered voters are expected to participate in today’s election across 425 polling units and five voting points in the local government.
3. Reputable As The Game Changer
In the history of the state, votes cast in Southern Ijaw often influences if not determine the winner of the Bayelsa state governorship election. This is traceable to the era of the late Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, a strong PDP candidate from the local government who was elected governor in 1999.
The local government used to be the strong base of some of the PDP big guns in the state including Sylva who was then a member of the party.
It is expected that Sylva’s defection to APC would heighten the contest for the local government as PDP would also do all within its power to retain or control Alamieyeseigha’s territory.
Apparently, Southern Ijaw is a force to reckon with for any gubernatorial candidate who means business.
While Dickson is leading his greatest challenger Sylva by 33,000 votes, 38,000 votes are still at stake at the 101 polling units, in six other local councils; Ekeremor, Sagbama, Yenagoa, Ogbia, Nembe and Brass.
Hence, it might be a costly assumption for either of the parties to boast of victory at this stage.
Election was cancelled in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area on December 7, 2015 as a result of violence, ballot box snatching and stuffing, harassment and abduction of electoral officials.
Governor Seriake Dickson of the PDP (L) and Chief Timipre Sylva of thre APC (R)
READ ALSO: Biafran struggle: Ohanaeze rejects Kanu’s approach
Naij.com focuses on three reasons Southern Ijaw is of keen interest to PDP and APC.
1. Southern Ijaw Is The Largest LGA In Bayelsa
Southern Ijaw LGA. According to Wikepedia, Southern Ijaw is the largest local government in Nigeria (landscape). It has an area of 2,682 km² and a population of 319,413 (2006 census).
2. Large Number Of Voters
Before Yenogoa became the state capital, Southern Ijaw used to be the local government with the highest number of voters. Its voting strength is fortified by the population and the high numbers of the voting class.
If all go well as planned by INEC, about 120, 827 registered voters are expected to participate in today’s election across 425 polling units and five voting points in the local government.
3. Reputable As The Game Changer
In the history of the state, votes cast in Southern Ijaw often influences if not determine the winner of the Bayelsa state governorship election. This is traceable to the era of the late Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, a strong PDP candidate from the local government who was elected governor in 1999.
The local government used to be the strong base of some of the PDP big guns in the state including Sylva who was then a member of the party.
It is expected that Sylva’s defection to APC would heighten the contest for the local government as PDP would also do all within its power to retain or control Alamieyeseigha’s territory.
Apparently, Southern Ijaw is a force to reckon with for any gubernatorial candidate who means business.
While Dickson is leading his greatest challenger Sylva by 33,000 votes, 38,000 votes are still at stake at the 101 polling units, in six other local councils; Ekeremor, Sagbama, Yenagoa, Ogbia, Nembe and Brass.
Hence, it might be a costly assumption for either of the parties to boast of victory at this stage.
Election was cancelled in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area on December 7, 2015 as a result of violence, ballot box snatching and stuffing, harassment and abduction of electoral officials.
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